car will turn but not start

1983 OPEL KADETT
50,000 MILES • 1.3L • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
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BRITO191
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I have a 1983 opel kadett 1.3s - it has always been reliable until cutting out recently. The engine turns but will not fire , we have replaced the distributor cap , the rotar arm and the electric block [coil?]that leads to the distributor , it still refuses to fire. The wiring on checking seems ok - any ideas? Thanks for replying on problem. The voltage reads 12 volts but general opinion isi it should be higher at positive side of coil. It has an ignition module / block and we have not changed that. Nothing else has been altered or tampered with and car was running until this problem without trouble. It was tested with an electronic tester for spark

Essentially car was in use when trouble developed, I had been on a short drive and was just returning from a shop when it cut out as I turned on to my road, I coasted it to its usual parking space and tried to restart it but it turns but refuses to fire. The engine was changed 3 years ago and the donor car was a Kadett e series [ mine is a d series] circa 1991. Since then the car has shown no trouble, indeed it ran recently from the German border to here in Wigan without the slightest hitch. [ Approx 600 miles]
My initial instinct was that one of the new parts is incorrect [ Opel kadett on ditch plates ] but I am assured that the nova engine is the kadett engine and the new part was matched with the old piece.
Mar 10, 2015 at 6:11 AM
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STRAILER
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Hello,

It sounds like you have a coil that is going out. When the engine stalls can you check to see if you have spark?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

This guide will help as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start


Please run some tests and get back to us we are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken
Jul 29, 2017 at 2:50 PM
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MARLIN
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I got a opel kadett 1.6gl and I have trouble starting it.when I try to start da car doesn't make a sound.what can I do?
Jul 29, 2017 at 2:50 PM (Merged)
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OPEL PARTS GREECE
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battery is ok?

Jul 29, 2017 at 2:50 PM (Merged)
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JABULANI SIYABONGA
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The car does not start after the replacement of trust bearing and clutch plate. I have been given advice that I should get a crank sensor and I have also replaced the fuel relay, but the car does not start. What should I do next?
Jul 29, 2017 at 2:50 PM (Merged)
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STEVE W.
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Check that you do not have a pinched wire or one that was missed during reassembly. Then you need to determine what is missing spark or fuel. Use a spark tester or test both at once by spraying some starting fluid into it and see if it tries to start. If it does you probably have a fuel problem. Check all the fuses and wire connections that were taken apart.
Jul 29, 2017 at 2:50 PM (Merged)
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KYLEX COKA
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i have checked for spark from the distributer and the firering is ok but theres no current going through the sensor and the car does not start at all. opel kadett 160is five doors hatch back five speed foward
Jul 29, 2017 at 2:50 PM (Merged)
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CADIEMAN
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spray the intake does it start?
Jul 29, 2017 at 2:50 PM (Merged)
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EHOON
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Electrical problem
1991 Opel Kadett 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Manual

I have overhauled the motor, pistons,rings,bearings,oil pump and replaced the cam shaft, reseat the valves. Now the motor does not want to start. I have spark on all 4 plugs, have fuel on all 4 injectors, but only combustion on cylinder no. 2. I replaced the distrubutor cap, rotor and plugs. The problem persists. When I tow the car, after a while the motor starts running, but very eratic. When the motor reaches running temp, it starts and runs smoothly. As soon as the motor cools down, my problem starts again.
Could it be the coil, ignition amplifier unit, hydraulic lifters ?
I have the C16SE motor.
Jul 29, 2017 at 2:51 PM (Merged)
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DAVE H
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you need to discover why you have no compression on 3 cylinders .. could be scored piston chamber.... bad piston ring alignment .. or the valve timing is out !!
Jul 29, 2017 at 2:51 PM (Merged)
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ENGELTRAC
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I've put a new cylinder head on and set all marks accordingly but the engine turns fine, but does not want to start. The spark plugs have fire and the petrol is coming through the carburator. is it settings in the cam or what??
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Jul 29, 2017 at 2:51 PM (Merged)
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DOCFIXIT
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check to see if engine has compression
Jul 29, 2017 at 2:51 PM (Merged)
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ONIEL01
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hi there, need urgent help with my ecotec 180is 16v dohc.refuses to start has petrol, but the spark is not consistant and weak.. what can i do to solve this knarly problem? :)
Jul 29, 2017 at 2:51 PM (Merged)
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ASEMASTER6371
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check fuel pressure. the spark could be a crank sensor.

check compression as well

Roy
Jul 29, 2017 at 2:51 PM (Merged)
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MERICIA
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I have a Opel Kadett 1996s. Car starts and drive but when driven for a while, and get switched off the car wont start while (i think) it is overheated. You have to wait awhile for it to cool off before it starts out of its own or it can be kick started.
Jul 29, 2017 at 2:51 PM (Merged)
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RASMATAZ
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Next time it refuses to start don't wait for it to make up its mind-do below immediately to determine if its fuel or spark problem

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine atleast 3/16 away from ground-have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, Do you hear the fuel pump come On when you turn key on? If not check fuel pump fuse and fuel pump relay if okay-check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs,coil's resistances,cap and rotor,distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it and keep testin
Jul 29, 2017 at 2:51 PM (Merged)
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GATES23
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hi my opel kadett 94 model just cuts out sometimes while driving.What could the problem be?It's like there is no feed.When u start it and take ur foot of the accelorator it dies.Can you please assist me?
Jul 29, 2017 at 2:51 PM (Merged)
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DAVE H
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start by having the fuel filter changed and check fuel pressure
Jul 29, 2017 at 2:51 PM (Merged)
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SEAN BUTLER
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I have the exact same problem except I have replaced my fuel filter. It was so bad that I had to remove the part that diverts the overflow, and I put in three fuel filters. I believed the original cause was due to rust from my fuel tank but I no longer have any and my fuel line is clean. My car still cuts out occasionally though and to get going, I just have to suck fuel out from a filter and spit it into the fuel pipe just before the pump. I have an open kadette 1985 1.3.
Jul 29, 2017 at 2:51 PM (Merged)